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-   -   Intercooler Time! (https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/intercooler-time-91546/)

18psi Dec 16, 2016 10:50 AM

Yes the big boy vibrant requires a bit of trimming of the support where it mounts to the frame rails. its not a big deal for some, but others don't wanna cut their car.

or just get the smaller one and it will go in without a single issue

shuiend Dec 16, 2016 10:56 AM

The smaller vibrant IC is more then good enough for a stock motor. No real reason to go any larger, especially if you have AC and want to keep it.


There are some decent eBay cores out there, but the time and energy you will spend to find it, is not worth the little bit money you will save. At least that is how I feel about it.

18psi Dec 16, 2016 10:58 AM

I disagree, but then I spend insane amounts of time actually researching parts, and then sourcing them, and actually know how to use the search function.

But yeah, for n00bs that can't search, just push the easy button and get the small vibrant.

PS: I was really impressed with the 2 cores I sourced as per the hi_im_sean/deezums egay intercooler selection. Same price, excellent sizing and turbulator count/placement. Very effective

shuiend Dec 16, 2016 11:09 AM


Originally Posted by 18psi (Post 1381710)
I disagree, but then I spend insane amounts of time actually researching parts, and then sourcing them, and actually know how to use the search function.

But yeah, for n00bs that can't search, just push the easy button and get the small vibrant.

PS: I was really impressed with the 2 cores I sourced as per the hi_im_sean/deezums egay intercooler selection. Same price, excellent sizing and turbulator count/placement. Very effective

When was the last time you actually searched on eBay for those cores? The one I bought about a year ago that was the specs from sean/deezum for about $70 and it turned out to be extremely shitty turbulators. I know Aidanj bought one within the last few months for around $100 and it had crappy turbulators also. So I think it is very hit or miss with the eBay IC and the quality of them at the exact moment that you look.

Odell89 Dec 16, 2016 11:09 AM

Fixing to search the 12800 now, you had told me amazon carries them.. Too bad piping isn't included, I've seen some threads here where people have gotten their piping from 2-3 different places, idk if one of those random kits seen all over the internet would work or not, from what I've read it could go either way.

18psi Dec 16, 2016 11:16 AM


Originally Posted by shuiend (Post 1381713)
When was the last time you actually searched on eBay for those cores? The one I bought about a year ago that was the specs from sean/deezum for about $70 and it turned out to be extremely shitty turbulators. I know Aidanj bought one within the last few months for around $100 and it had crappy turbulators also. So I think it is very hit or miss with the eBay IC and the quality of them at the exact moment that you look.

3/2015

https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...-67328/page32/

That's a bummer, so they finally ran out of them I guess? Best 50 dollar intercooler I've ever seen

Alright, so last week the car got tinted, so that's done.

today we fabricated the intercooler with solid side brackets just like FAB9
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1425771410
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1425771410https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1425771410

it fits and holds so solid that it's like part of the car's structure lol.
love how it looks too

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1425771410
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1425771410

ridethecliche Dec 16, 2016 11:28 AM

You know you can just buy the stage one from fab9 or the 12800 from amazon and have a local shop weld something up for you for the end tanks, right? If you can't do it yourself, might be cheaper to just get it from fab9 for the extra hundo depending on what it costs.

The ebay intercoolers have been written up pretty extensively on here and may work for you depending on your goals. Getting a better radiator isn't a bad idea either.

Seriously though. Start reading some build threads to see what people did!

Odell89 Dec 16, 2016 11:40 AM


ridethecliche , Today 11:28 AM
You know you can just buy the stage one from fab9 or the 12800 from amazon and have a local shop weld something up for you for the end tanks, right? If you can't do it yourself, might be cheaper to just get it from fab9 for the extra hundo depending on what it costs.

The ebay intercoolers have been written up pretty extensively on here and may work for you depending on your goals. Getting a better radiator isn't a bad idea either.

Seriously though. Start reading some build threads to see what people did!
Fortunately I am running a Mishi radiator already, I have about a $200 budget for my intercooler (excluding piping) currently checking out the hi_im_sean/deezums thread on routing and such... Too bad those intercoolers in that thread are no longer as good as they were when it was posted 😔

shuiend Dec 16, 2016 11:41 AM


Originally Posted by 18psi (Post 1381716)
3/2015

https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...-67328/page32/

That's a bummer, so they finally ran out of them I guess? Best 50 dollar intercooler I've ever seen

Here, here, and here are the top 3 hits on ebay for the 27"x5.5"x2.5" intercoolers. Only one actually shows the turbolators and they look like crap. It is the one I have sitting on my garage floor at home. The slightly more expensive ones don't show the turbolators so you are really hoping they are good. So to me the extra $50 to make sure you a known "decent" core, that shows up in 2 days is worth it.

I don't think the Vibrant is the best on the market at all, just the best bang for the buck, no hassle core.

18psi Dec 16, 2016 11:49 AM

I specifically searched by seller name when looking for mine. Searching by size yields 5 billion hits and likely most of them the wrong one. But I have no idea if they still sell the one I had, nor do I care enough to check, so I'll take your word for it. I figured they were just selling off an old batch of properly made knockoffs and once it was done, it was done.

shuiend Dec 16, 2016 11:52 AM


Originally Posted by 18psi (Post 1381729)
I specifically searched by seller name when looking for mine. Searching by size yields 5 billion hits and likely most of them the wrong one. But I have no idea if they still sell the one I had, nor do I care enough to check, so I'll take your word for it. I figured they were just selling off an old batch of properly made knockoffs and once it was done, it was done.

I do wish the cheaper ones at $50-$70 range were still decent. I would much rather use those when I get around to building an IC setup, then the more expensive ones.

I also recommend getting all aluminum pipes, couplers, and t-bolt clamps from siliconeintakes.com. I use 2" on the hot side, and 2.25" or 2.5" on the cold size. I have found the eBay IC pipe kits subpar overall. Generally not sizes you want, not having all the bends you need, and needing reducers and adapters.

ridethecliche Dec 16, 2016 03:09 PM

I talked to someone that recently bought and ran one of the speed daddy j2 racing or whatever they're called intercoolers recently with good results. I think it might have been Borka?

You can also call them which is nice...

They also have intercooler piping that's like 90 bucks. Might be worth a shot to start with and then get rest from silicone intakes.

wackbards Dec 16, 2016 04:24 PM

$185 & comes with piping. Haven't installed it yet, so... Grain of salt etc, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FDCFT60/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FD...?ie=UTF8&psc=1https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...5fc9b798a3.jpg

Bronson M Dec 16, 2016 04:47 PM

That's a tube and fin setup, not bar and plate.......

wackbards Dec 16, 2016 04:51 PM


Originally Posted by Bronson M (Post 1381825)
That's a tube and fin setup, not bar and plate.......

​​​​​​
doh. Didn't catch you guys were specifically discussing B&P.

Bronson M Dec 16, 2016 04:53 PM

We're discussing good intercoolers..... Bar and plate> tube and fin

Odell89 Dec 24, 2016 11:09 AM

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...029b3bf51c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0da30c1b61.jpg
So, went to a garage sale on my street yesterday.. And found this box labeled "car radiator stuff" box was unopened, and priced for $10.. IC, BOV, Piping. Sure it isn't everything I need, but I almost fell trying to hurry this to the homeowner to pay for it. :bigtu:

18psi Dec 24, 2016 11:40 AM

that's like the worst intercooler. but for 10, I guess it should work

Odell89 Dec 24, 2016 11:48 AM

My thoughts exactly, and if it sucks too much... I could sell it and easily make a few dollars, the dimensions are good, pretty sure it's the same as the $185 kit mentioned above. Hahaha

Really fit my budget well, as I broke down and bought a new Honeywell Garrett GT25 last night, instead of trying to make what I have work or buy a used one, got an awesome deal on it as well at $655.

Odell89 Dec 24, 2016 11:49 AM

And Merry Christmas/Christmas Eve to all that read this ☺️


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